Lubricant Reservoir Pump With Rotating Spatula Level Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pumps with integrated lubricant reservoirs face issues with feeding light lubricants containing lumps or thickened lubricants at low temperatures, and struggle to accurately measure lubricant levels due to the density of greases or fluid greases, which can cause jamming in conventional systems.

Innovation Solution

A pump design featuring a lubricant reservoir with a rotating spatula and a proximity sensor system, where a flap on the spatula activates the sensor when the lubricant reaches a minimum level, ensuring reliable feeding and level detection, and can accommodate lubricants of varying densities by using materials like NBR/Ebonite foam or floats.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional pumping elements with suction immersed in lubricant are used, then the pump can handle dense lubricants like grease, but the feeding mechanism fails when lubricant contains lumps or thickens at low temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to handle different lubricant conditionsVSAvoidfeeding reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional gravity-based mechanical feeding system with a peristaltic pumping mechanism that uses rhythmic compression and relaxation of a flexible tube to propel lubricant forward. This mechanical substitution eliminates dependence on lubricant density and gravitational flow, enabling reliable feeding of both dense greases and thin oils even when thickened by low temperatures or containing lumps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The peristaltic pumping element creates self-contained pumping chambers within the flexible tube that automatically advance the lubricant through sequential compression waves. The system serves itself by using the tube's elasticity and the pumping element's rhythmic motion to generate forward propulsion without external intervention, adapting automatically to variations in lubricant viscosity and density.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If conventional float-based level measurement systems are used, then the system is simple in structure, but the dense lubricant causes jamming and inaccurate measurement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelubricant level detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical float-based level detection system with a capacitive sensing system that uses electrical fields to detect lubricant level. The capacitive sensor measures changes in capacitance caused by the dielectric properties of the lubricant, providing accurate level measurement without physical contact that could cause jamming. This substitution maintains structural simplicity while dramatically improving measurement reliability with dense greases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If the lubricant reservoir uses gravity-based feeding, then the system is simple and requires no additional components, but it cannot reliably feed light lubricants with lumps or thickened lubricants

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeeding system complexityVSAvoidlubricant delivery reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces gravity-based passive feeding with an active peristaltic pumping mechanism that uses rhythmic compression of a flexible tube to propel lubricant forward. This mechanical substitution adds a pumping element and flexible tube but eliminates the need for complex auxiliary feeding devices, achieving a balance between added complexity and dramatically improved reliability for handling diverse lubricant conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides a safer and more reliable lubricant feeding system that effectively detects minimum lubricant levels and prevents jamming, ensuring efficient operation with both dense and less dense lubricants, including greases and oils.

Implementation Method 1

a proximity sensor system, where a flap on the spatula activates the sensor when the lubricant reaches a minimum level

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectProximity sensing:

Implementation Method 2

A pump design featuring a lubricant reservoir with a rotating spatula

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotational motion:

Implementation Method 3

pump with a lubricant reservoir which feeds at least one pumping element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPumping action: Pump

Data Source

PatentUS11821582B2Pump with a lubricant reservoir

Publication Date: 2023.11.21 DROPSA

AI summary

A pump (1) comprising a lubricant reservoir (3) which feeds at least one pumping element (2), the reservoir (3) being delimited by a base (4) in correspondence with which, inside the reservoir (3) there is a rotating spatula (5) featured, equipped with at least one blade (5A) which, by rotating over the base (4), conveys the said lubricant towards an intake (2A) in the said pumping element (2) pushing the said lubricant through a plurality of passages (4A) made in the surface of the said base (4).